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Bradley Wiggins: So who is the man in the yellow jersey?

Bradley Wiggins of Britain waves to spectators during the 99th Tour de France Photo: REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

As Bradley Wiggins is set become the first British cyclist to be overall winner of the Tour de France, we take a closer look at the 32-year-old rider at the front wearing the yellow jersey.

Bradley was born in Ghent, Belgium but grew up in London.

He started racing at the age of 12 at the Herne Hill Velodrome.

Track was his main focus in his younger years.

In 1997, he won his World Championship medal in 1997 as a junior when he won the Individual Pursuit title in Cuba.

Bradley was inspired to take up the sport by his late father, Gary Wiggins, a former leading Australian track cyclist. The pair were estranged for 17 years after his parents split. They got back in contact in 1997.

In 2004, Wiggins became the first British athlete in 40 years to win three medals at one games

After winning three Olympic Golds and seven World Champion titles Bradley switched his focus to road cycling.

Bradley Wiggins kisses his gold medal for the Men's Individual Pursuit at the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004 Credit: Tony Marshall/EMPICS Sport

In 2009, he equalled the best-ever performance by a British rider in the Tour de France (TdF) when he finished 4th overall.

He was awarded an CBE by the Prince of Wales in 2009.

Bradley Wiggins outside Buckingham Palace after being awarded an CBE by the Prince of Wales in June 2009 Credit: Anthony Devlin/PA Archive/Press Association Images

Also that year, Wiggins published his autobiography, 'In Pursuit of Glory'. It was published just months before his father's death and he described their troubled relationship:

His achievements as a cyclist and almost 'legendary' hard-man status on the circuit undoubtedly helped propel me towards a competitive career in the sport.